Spring 2027 Pro Bono Scholars, Housing Practice
Legal Services NYCNew York City, New York, United States · Posted Aug 7, 2025Description
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal services that help our clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers.
LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer.
LSNYC seeks pro bono scholars for the Spring 2027 to join our housing practice and work in our neighborhood-based offices representing tenants, as part of our work to implement New York City's groundbreaking Right to Counsel law and the anti-displacement work by our Tenant Rights Coalition team focused on working with tenant groups to support communities facing gentrification..
LSNYC's housing practice represents low-income tenants in many different settings, including defending tenants in eviction proceedings in housing court, representing tenants in administrative hearings, bringing affirmative litigation, and handling appeals at all levels.
The work of housing practice involves developing expertise in housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and public benefits. The pro bono scholars will be expected to perform community outreach and provide legal information, advice, and counsel, both in clinical and informal settings. The attorneys will also be expected to perform trainings for other advocates, tenant associations, community members, and community groups. We are looking for candidates who are excited to work in a fast-paced environment and to use creative strategies in the pursuit of justice.
Responsibilities:
- Conducting intake and providing full legal representation in housing court proceedings to New York City tenants referred to LSNYC through the right to counsel initiative in NYC housing courts, and through other referral sources.
- Litigating cases in housing court, administrative forums, appellate courts, and other state and federal courts on behalf of people facing eviction, and in affirmative cases challenging agencies and actors who threaten New York City residents' ability to obtain and retain affordable housing.
- Developing expertise in housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and public benefits.
- Providing legal advice and counseling to tenants as needed.
- Conducting neighborhood-based legal clinics and know-your-rights workshops.
- Identifying trends and recurring issues for potential impact litigation.
- Providing trainings to other advocates, tenant associations, community members, and community groups.
Qualifications:
- Be a participant in the New York State Pro Bono Scholar program.
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice and working in low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity.
- Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and conduct community outreach in low-income neighborhoods.
- Excellent advocacy, analytic, writing, and leadership skills.
- Strong time management and organization skills including the ability to handle a diverse, fast-paced caseload generated by a “right to counsel” intake where clients may have a legal entitlement to representation.
- Experience in housing, landlord/tenant, or related advocacy is preferred.
- Fluency or proficiency in either Spanish or a language other than English that is frequently used by our clients is preferred,
All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.
Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, people over 40, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Similar jobs
Est. 140,915 USD
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal…
Est. 141,501 USD
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal…
Est. 157,829 USD
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal…
Est. 136,591 USD
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal…
Est. 128,517 USD
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal…
Est. 128,517 USD
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal…
Est. 129,444 USD
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal…
Est. 112,764 USD
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal…
Est. 114,000 USD
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal…
Est. 165,120 USD
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal…
Est. 100,768 USD
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal…
Est. 100,768 USD
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal…
Est. 92,500 USD
Fairstead is a purpose-driven real estate firm dedicated to building affordable communities across the country. Headquartered in New York, with offices in Colorado, Florida, and Washington DC, Fairstead owns and manages…
Est. 165,839 USD
ABOUT THE JOB The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel in the Criminal Law Reform Project of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a h…
Est. 65,000 USD
Paralegal - Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn, NY | Full-Time | On-Site Join a Growing Organization Supporting Legal and Operational Excellence Licensed Behavior Analyst Professional Services (LBAPS) is seeking a highly organized an…
Est. 155,000 USD
Position: Racial Justice Center Director Department: Racial Justice Center Terms of Employment: Full-time/Exempt Location: New York Civil Liberties Union, New York, NY Salary: $140,000 - $170,000 (dependent on experience…
Est. 108,039 USD
ABOUT THE JOB The ACLU seeks applicants for the Karpatkin Fellowship, a full-time, two-year fellowship in the Racial Justice Program (RJP) of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-…
Est. 70,000 USD
At Wilson Elser, we are redefining what it means to work at a national law firm. With more than 1,400 attorneys across 46 offices nationwide, we are recognized among the top 100 law firms by The American Lawyer and ranke…
Est. 120,009 USD
ABOUT THE JOB The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel, in the Immigrants’ Rights Project (IRP) of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY or San…
Est. 85,000 USD
About the position We are seeking a Legal Operations Specialist to support our fast-growing Legal and Compliance team. This is an operations-focused role grounded in legal systems: you’ll handle core paralegal tasks whil…
Est. 185,000 USD
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) is a leader in live entertainment, delivering unforgettable experiences while forging deep connections with diverse and passionate audiences. The Company’s po…
Est. 62,240 USD
Our mission: eliminating every barrier to mental health. Spring Health is a global mental health company on a mission to eliminate every barrier to mental health. We're building a world where getting support is simple, p…
Est. 95,681 USD
ABOUT THE JOB The ACLU seeks applicants for a full-time two-year fellowship position in the Speech, Privacy and Technology Project of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. The Speech, Privacy, and Technology Projec…
Est. 92,500 USD
ABOUT PER SCHOLAS: For 30 years, Per Scholas has been on a mission to drive mobility and opportunity in the ever-advancing technology landscape by unlocking the untapped potential of individuals, uplifting communities, a…
Est. 85,000 USD
Who You Are An educator with an unwavering commitment to the Democracy Prep mission of college success and authentic civic engagement for our scholars. An outstanding ENL teacher who holds scholars to consistently high b…
Est. 75,000 USD
At Wilson Elser, we are redefining what it means to work at a national law firm. With more than 1,400 attorneys across 46 offices nationwide, we are recognized among the top 100 law firms by The American Lawyer and ranke…
Est. 207,500 USD
Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, howeve…
Est. 19,140 USD
If you think your skills, experience and aspirations make you a good match for this position, we encourage you to apply. ABOUT THE ROLE The successful candidate will be an integral part of our in-house legal team, suppor…
Est. 330,000 USD
Fairstead is a purpose-driven real estate firm dedicated to building affordable communities across the country. Headquartered in New York, with offices in Colorado, Florida, and Washington DC, Fairstead owns and manages…
Est. 195,000 USD
Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, howeve…